New Port Richey woman arrested in shooting

A man was expected to survive after being shot by a friend during an argument late Tuesday in New Port Richey, deputies said.

Stephanie Ballog, 36, of 12900 Duchess Ave., faces a charge of attempted murder after Richard Allen Maki, 42, was found with a gunshot wound in front of her home, according to a sheriff’s office affidavit.

A witness to the shooting said Ballog and Maki were friends who had a “brief verbal argument” in the kitchen about 11:45 p.m., according to the affidavit. The witness said he saw Ballog leave the kitchen, return with a handgun and shoot Maki in the left side, according to the affidavit.

Deputies responded to a call about 3:20 a.m. Wednesday and found a wounded Maki in the road in front of the house, the sheriff’s office said.

Maki was transported by emergency workers to Bayonet Point Hospital in Hudson, deputies said.

Prior to being transported, Maki told deputies that Ballog had shot him, the affidavit said.

Ballog was located about two hours later at 10454 Berwyn St. in New Port Richey and taken to the Pasco County jail in Land O’ Lakes for booking, deputies said.

“The shooting does not appear to be domestic related but it is unclear at this point why the suspect shot the victim,” Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Doug Tobin said in a news release.